Puppy Raising

Puppy Raising

Puppy raisers must realize the responsibility that they or their child are assuming when agreeing to raise a service dog puppy. The level of good behavior that a service dog puppy must achieve is greater than that of most household pets. While one child may be the primary raiser, parents must be actively involved in helping their child teach and socialize the puppy. We ask that parents insist upon effective and consistent techniques and socialization as well as fair and humane treatment of the puppy that their child is raising. In reality, this must be thought of as a family project. All members of the household are required to follow the guidelines for raising the puppy.

Puppies develop best in an atmosphere of trust, encouragement and praise.Raisers need to learn not to be frustrated during the raising process.They should not become impatient or angry with the puppy.The best tool for developing a puppy during trying times is returning to the basics of consistency, practice, calmness and praise. It is not uncommon for puppy raisers to learn and grow as much as their puppies during this experience, and our puppy raising program focuses on developing a sense of confidence, leadership, community service and responsibility in our raisers.

Potential raisers must realize the time commitment necessary. Puppies live in your home anywhere from 14 to 18 months. The puppies are raised as part of the family, and regular meetings are required for the primary raisers as well as other family members that will be helping raise and socialize the puppy. You should expect to spend, on average, an hour a day feeding, grooming, training, socializing and exercising your puppy. Attendance at regular training meetings is required. Our puppies are not placed in homes with children under the age of 4 or dogs under the age of 2. Puppy raisers must be at least 12 years old.

We encourage everyone who is willing and capable of providing a safe learning environment to a service dog puppy to help support our mission by doing so.We also ask that parents of young raisers support their child in his or her efforts to successfully raise a service dog puppy.We extend a special invitation and encourage teachers and counselors dealing with children and teens to be raisers. If we do not have puppies available to raise, we will make every effort to refer you to a reputable organization that may.

At this time we are looking for raisers in the Boise, Idaho area (Boise, Meridian, Garden City, Kuna, Caldwell, Nampa, Mountain Home, really anywhere close enough to attend weekly meetings).